Smokiam Equestrian Team wins reigning competition

MOSES LAKE — Callie Guenther of the Smokiam Equestrian Team won the reigning competition over the weekend at the Pacific Northwest Invitational Regional Finals at Grant County Fairgrounds.

Guenther won the event by a single point over Stina Tapio of Hockinson. Guenther came out strong in the first round with a score of 67. She posted a 63 in the second round for a total of 130. Tapio improved from 64 to 65 in the second round, but came up a point short with a two-round total of 129.

Sidnee Pixlee of Ephrata placed eighth in the individual flag competition. The Ephrata junior had a base time of 8.488 seconds with a five-second penalty for a time of 13.488 to score nine points for Team Washington in the two-day event.

The Pacific Northwest Invitational Regional Finals pits the best young horsemen and -women in Oregon and Washington in a season finale. The top five teams and individuals from each event at each state's high school equestrian state championship qualify for the event.

Currently, each state has nearly 1,000 athletes competing for these top spots. As high school equestrian teams gain popularity in other states, the association hopes states like Idaho, California and Montana might someday be part of this endeavor.

For complete results of the Pacific Northwest Invitational Regional Finals visit www.pnwic.com.